Medals from the collection of the late Mike Leahy

A Boy Scouts Silver Gallantry Cross group of six awarded to Lance Bombardier L. G. H. Ryden, Royal Artillery, Airborne Division, who was killed in action at the Arnhem Landings

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; Boy Scout’s Association, Silver Gallantry Cross (L. Ryden 5-12-34) together with named condolence slip and card box of issue for the first five, addressed to his mother in Colwyn Bay, extremely fine (6) £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the collection of the late Mike Leahy.

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To Scout L. Ryden of the 1st Colwyn Bay (St Paul’s) Group in recognition of his gallantry in rescuing a boy from drowning in the sea at Colwyn Bay on October 15th 1934.

Lance Bombardier Lionel Ryden was killed in action. A contemporary news cutting states: ‘L/Bmdr. Ryden would have been 22 years of age next month. He joined the army at the age of 14 as a Trumpeter in the R.A. Wounded at Dunkirk he later served in Africa (African Star), Scicily, Italy, and France from the D-day landing, and took part in the landing at Arnhem. Since receiving the notification Mr Ryden has seen members of the Airborne Division who were able to give the information that Lionel and members of his gun crew were killed by a direct hit.

The group is accompanied by a good amount of original documentation, including coloured Certificate of Award for the Scouts Gallantry Cross; Borough of Colwyn Bay Memorial Certificate 1939-45, named; two letters of congratulation, and six news cuttings, several of which show his portrait.